In this episode of Duty Free Lunch, we’re looking ahead to America’s 250th birthday in 2026 and Pennsylvania’s key role in the celebrations. Cassandra Coleman, Executive Director of America250PA, joins Aaron, Jeff, and Rachael to share how the commission is connecting history with education and highlighting Pennsylvania’s contributions. They discuss programs for students, partnerships with schools and museums, and ways educators can get involved to bring history to life in the classroom. Plus, Cassandra shares her favorite piece of Pennsylvania trivia - don't miss it!

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Aaron and Jeff delve into student health and wellness with PSEA leaders Michelle Sholder and Adam Oldham. Michelle, president of PSEA’s Department of Pupil Services (DPS), and Adam, a school counselor, share their expertise on addressing issues like trauma, anxiety, and the impact of social media on students. They share practical strategies and emphasize the need for more certified student service professionals. They also explore PSEA's professional development opportunities and advocate for more empathetic, systemic solutions to help students thrive.

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Aaron and Jeff sit down with with PSEA’s 2024 Dolores McCracken Education Support Professional of the Year, Becky Marszalek, a paraprofessional at Avonworth Elementary School and president of Avonworth ESP with 18 years of education experience. Becky shares some of the challenges and joys of her journey from nannying to working in education, emphasizing the importance of trust, consistency, and the evolving support for paraprofessionals within the education community. 

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In this special post-election wrap-up of Duty Free Lunch, we break down the latest election results and their impact on Pennsylvania's public education landscape. Aaron welcomes Dan Wiedemer and Sari Stevens from PSEA's Government Relations unit to discuss key issues from the Nov. 5 election, from voter turnout and demographic trends to the policy priorities that could shape our schools’ future. Tune in as we explore the path forward for educators and PSEA’s ongoing commitment to putting students and public schools first.

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Aaron and Jeff tackle a topic that hits close to home for educators: stress and how to effectively manage it. They are joined by Dorothy Morelli, a career educator with over 30 years of experience and co-founder of the non-profits CREATE and Bounceback, and Denine Goolsby, an SEL expert with 46 years as an educator, principal, and executive in social-emotional learning. Also joining in is Sandy Williams, PSEA’s wellness facilitator, who highlights wellness resources for members, offering quick techniques to find calm and joy in stressful moments.

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PSEA’s Innovative Teaching Grants program is designed to support educators in creating groundbreaking classroom projects. Jeff and Rachael chat with Amy Lightner, Chair of the program, and Anthony DeRosa, a grant recipient from the Lawrence County Career & Technical Center. Tune in to hear how DeRosa’s “Art Mart” is equipping economically disadvantaged students with entrepreneurial skills through a unique STEAM-based curriculum and learn about the opportunities and tips for applying to this prestigious grant to your own program.

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Aaron and Rachael sit down with PSEA Assistant Directors of Education Services Gina Gullo and Michael Bogdan to explore the professional learning opportunities available to PSEA members. Learn about PSEA’s Center for Professional Learning and the PEARL platform, which offer flexible, free Act 48 and Chapter 14 credits through webinars, book studies, and NEA micro-credentials. Whether you're a seasoned educator or just starting out, PSEA's pro-learning opportunities have you covered.

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Aaron and Rachael explore the world of Career and Technical Education (CTE) with special guests from York County School of Technology. Teacher Development Instructor Dr. Melissa-Ann Pero discusses her innovative teacher development program, which borrows from the Educators Rising curriculum, and its role in preparing the next generation of educators. Senior student Grace Rinehart shares what inspires and motivates her on her journey to become a teacher.

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The PSEA officer team dives into the 2024 election and its potential impact on public education with Mary Kusler, NEA's Senior Director for the Center for Advocacy and Political Action. Mary shares insights on the political landscape, the importance of educators' involvement, and key issues like student loan debt, union rights, and federal funding for schools. Tune in as we discuss why this election could be the most consequential of our lifetimes and how educators can make their voices heard.

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Aaron, Jeff, and Rachael sit down with PSEA Executive Director Jim Vaughan to illuminate the inner workings of the Association. Jim shares his day-to-day responsibilities, discusses how members' voices shape PSEA’s decisions, and highlights recent successes in organizing and bargaining. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the people and projects that keep PSEA running smoothly, along with Jim's vision for the future of the organization.

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Learn more and watch for upcoming episodes at psea.org/podcast.